Hydrometer



Nov. 8, 1927. 1,648,412

v C. E. LINEBARGER HYDROMETER Filed June 2, 1925 INVENTOR.

.. LINEBA RG-EH CHARLES ATTORNEY.

Patented Nov. 8, 1927.

UNITED srA Es CHARLES E. LINEBARGER, or'orIIoAGo, ILLINOIS.

I HYDROMETER. I

Application filed June 2," "Serial No. 34,302.

is to provide a very simple and convenient method and apparatus for determining the density of the electrolyte in batteries and at the same time for determining the height of the electrolyte in the vessel. The device thus indicates the condition of the electrolyte as to charge and also as to the need for distilled water.

Of the accompanying drawings Fig. l is an elevation partly in section of a device which embodies the features of my invention and which is my preferred form; Figs. 2, 3, and 6 illustrate various modifications of the device; and Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate devices used for similar purposes but applied and used in a somewhat different manner.

In general the preferred application of my invention "is to combine the testing element 10- with the vent plug or cap 11 of a storage battery 9 so that'when the plug is removed the testing element will be removed with the plug and at a glance the condition of the battery will be indicated.

The testing element or tube 10 is supported by the plug in any suitable manner, such as by means of a disk 12, such as is common in use with vent caps, the tube passing through an opening'in the disk and bein supported by a flange 13 on the upper end thereof. The lower end ofthe tube is preferably bent substantially at right angles. thus formingthe horizontal arm 14, andin this arm are placed hydrometric units 15..

An opening 16 is provided in the elbow of the tube. Any suitable means may be used The various illusto prevent the units passing out of the tube,

The hydrometric units may be of any suitable form or nature,'provided that they are of nearly the same density as the desired density of the liquid to be tested. My preferred form of units are those described by Patent No. 1,424,730 issued to me on Aug. 1, .1922; but it is to be understood that other units may be used.

With the deviceas arranged will be apparent that, when the cap'is in place .on

the casing of the battery, vthe-,tube-will -pr0- ject downwardly and if, the vertical arm is of suitable length the arm 14 will pass into the upper, portion of the electrolyte, and, with the openings 16, the electrolyte will pass freely into the arm; so that when the device is removed and the arm '14 is held the electrolyte and will sink or rise therein according to the relative densities of the units and the electrolyte, thus testing in a Well known manner the density of the liquid. By having the device properly arranged with reference to the level of the electrolyte in the casing, that is so that the liquid when vertically the units 15 will be surrounded by of proper elevation will substantially'cover.

the arm 14 when the device is in place, the

arm when. removed will be entirely filled wlth liquid, but if the amount of liquid in j the battery is insuflicient, the arm will not be full; thus indicating a deficiency ofliquid in the battery. Having thus tested the liqthe disk.

.Fig. 3 shows a further modification in which the tube is supported'in the cap in any suitable manner such as that indicated by Fig. l and the tube is straight insteadof angular. This arrangement makes it .unnecessary to take any special precautions in preventing the liquid from running out of the tube when the cap is removed, as it is necessary only to raise the cap upwardly. The opening 21 is provided to allow the liqmd to flow freely into the tube but its position will prevent the liquid from flowing out. y

Fig. 6 shows a further modification in When in the cell it will lie horizontally on the top of the plates but when raised it will hang vertically so that the liquid in the tube Will be retained and the amounttherein will indicate the depth in the cell. i

.Fig. 4: shows a hydrometer independent of the vent. The "tube may be inserted in the liquid .in any suitable manner, and it will indicate'the density as well as the elevation of the liquid, substantially as has been described with reference to the other devices.

Fig; 5 is another modification in which the hydrometer is suspended on the edge of the vessel and may be very quickly elevated and the condition of the liquid determined thereby. The arm QGis open at the lower end and an opening 27 is also provided in the elbow o l the tube. V a

I claim as my invention I 1.. In a storage battery a vent plug in combination with a hydrometer, said plug having a detachable plate mounted therein, and said hydrometer being suspended from said plate.

2. A h-ydro'meter comprising a glass tube closed at one end, a hydrometric unit positioned in said end, the other end of saidtube "beingopen, and said tube having an openingjin its wall between its ends.

Aliydrometer comprising a tube having one end closed and the other end open, a hydrometric unit mounted in said tube, said tube being bent and having an opening in its 7 wall at said bend.

In: testimony whereof, I hereunto set my hand.

, -GHARLES E. LiNE RGERI 

